Jesse Owens' 1936 Gold Medal to be auctioned

One of the most famous Olympic medals is hitting is up for auction. The gold medal is one of of the four won by Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The event is one of greatest moments in Olympic (or sporting) history, as Owens, an African-American, stole what was supposed to have been a showcase for a new Germany. With Hitler looking on, Owens won the four medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, the long jump and as a member of the 4×100 meter relay team.

The medal is expected to fetch at least $1 million. The whereabouts of the other three medals Owens’ won is unknown, making this one even more alluring.

The medal is being sold by the estate of Elaine Plaines-Robinson, the wife of entertainer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a close friend of Owens who died in 1949. It’s documented that Owens gave Robinson one of the medals.

The highest price ever paid for a piece of Olympic memorabilia was $865,000, which was paid earlier this year for a silver cup won by the winner of the first modern-day Olympic marathon in 1896. The jersey from the famous “Miracle on Ice” game worn by team captain Mike Eruzione sold for $657,250 in February.